What Is a Zero Volume Keyword
What is a zero volume keyword?
A zero volume keyword is a search query that appears to have negligible or no monthly searches according to keyword tools.
BUT…
Zero volume keywords actually do have monthly search volume!
Why?
Because “zero” volume doesn’t mean no one is searching.
Using zero volume keywords is how I grew a brand new travel blog from nothing to over 10K pageviews per month quickly.
Zero volume keywords can bring in thousands of pageviews per month.
A blogger can build traffic and rank at the top of Google quickly using a zero volume keyword strategy.
Zero volume keywords are also referred to as “low competition keywords,” “golden ratio keywords,” “hidden keywords,” “zero competition keywords,” and “zero search volume keywords.”
Let’s get to what a zero volume keyword is in more depth and how to find zero search volume keywords that bring lots of traffic to your blog.
What are zero search volume keywords?
Whatever term you choose to define zero-volume keywords, whether it’s “zero search volume keywords,” “golden ratio keywords,” or “hidden keywords,” a good way to think about them is keywords with little to no competition.
I think of zero volume keywords as low competition keywords, that term makes the most sense to me.
Zero volume keywords have no to low competition, however, they do have traffic.
And there are lots of ways to find them.
Because competition is often minimal for these keywords, your content has a better chance of ranking higher without the need for extensive backlinking efforts or high domain authority.
They are keywords that only some people are going after so they rank well.
SEOs and bloggers have been using this strategy since at least 2016.
I first heard this strategy explained in a YouTube video by Doug Cunnington talking about The Keyword Golden Ratio.
I applied this strategy to a list of 100+ keywords I had compiled and worked from there. I concentrated on writing the posts using keywords with the lowest ratio and working my way up from there.
It’s very effective in growing traffic quickly.
I started getting traffic immediately and ranking in #1 – #3 spots on Google with 20 posts out of about 80!
If you don’t know blogging yet, that is great.
Why you should target zero volume keywords?
You should target zero volume keywords if:
- You’ve started a brand new blog
- You have zero domain authority
- You want to get traffic quickly
- You want to see your posts in the top three spots on Google
You can rank as a new blogger with a low-competition keyword strategy.
Leverage these keywords to reduce the competition you face and cater to niche audiences that are often neglected by broader SEO strategies.
When starting a blog, it’s difficult to compete.
So many established blogs have high domain authority and a ton of quality backlinks.
They are hard for the new blogger with no domain authority to compete with when going after high-volume keywords.
In contrast to high-volume keywords, which attract a large audience but also bring stiff keyword difficulty, zero volume keywords offer a clear path with less resistance to rank in search engines.
New bloggers can do well with this strategy.
The mistake I see new bloggers make is going after keywords that are too difficult to rank for.
Because they are too broad and have high difficulty, new bloggers will never rank, and often give up because of this.
Don’t. Give. Up.
Zero volume keywords are probably getting traffic
Most third-party SEO tools that most bloggers use, like Ahrefs and Keyserach (two products I don’t do anything without and are the absolute best tools for SEO. If Ahrefs were a publicly traded company I’d own stock in it), are not accurate.
They under report traffic and volume. They give only estimates of search volume and potential traffic.
For instance, when you plug in a competitor’s URL to the “site explorer” tab in Ahrefs to spy on their traffic stats, it’s a low traffic estimate, off by at least %10. However, it’s directionally correct.
Zero volume keywords are less competitive and highly specific
Zero volume keywords are highly specific and garner little to no search volume in traditional keyword research tools, like Keysearch and Ahrefs.
Their traffic is often underreported by these keyword research tools.
Consequently, most bloggers overlook them due to their low traffic numbers, making them prime opportunities for those in the know.
By creating content that addresses these narrow long-tail queries, you’re providing your audience with unique and valuable information that they are actively seeking but which is not readily available elsewhere.
Example of a zero volume keyword
Here are a few example of zero volume keywords.
“best time to visit the Redwoods ca” is a zero-volume keyword.
On Keyseach, this keyword shows zero search volume.
But you and I know someone, perhaps many people, have entered that query into Google.
I would write this post and I would rank in SERPs for it, in the number one spot or close to it. It would also bring traffic.
Example of a zero volume keyword
“hotels in paris france with a view of the eiffel tower”
This is a zero-volume keyword. Long tail and hyper-specific.
As a Google user, and Google pusher, and lover of all things French, I would enter this query into Google if France were on my agenda anytime in the next few months.
Other people have as well.
Keyword Research Techniques
In the realm of SEO, effective keyword research paves the way for targeting the right audience.
Here are some techniques I’ve used to help you find valuable keywords, including overlooked zero-volume keywords that may attract highly relevant traffic.
Keyword Research Tools
Your journey into keyword research begins with using keyword research tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Keysearch.
In my opinion, you only need to use Keysearch if you’re just starting out. It’s the cheapest and easiest to learn.
These tools help you generate potential keywords based on seed keywords and give insights into the competition and search volume.
However, there are a few other ways to find hidden keywords that don’t require a paid tool.
How to Find Zero Volume Keywords
1. Google Autofill Keywords
Go to the source. Google Autofill is the most accurate way to find out what people are searching for on Google because it’s part of the Google ecosystem, and best of all, it is a completely free method.
Yay to free!
Using Google Autofill will unlock a treasure trove of long-tail keywords.
As you type queries into Google Search, pay attention to the suggestions that appear.
These are reflective of real searches that people are conducting. This is how you can locate keywords closely related to your main long-tail keyword.
In the following example, I typed in “hotels in Paris France with” and a bunch of zero volume keywords populated.
These at the queries people are asking. They just don’t show up yet in SEO tools! Use these to rank.
Lazy Girl Lesson: Don’t make the mistake I did, and buy every blogging tool. Until you are sure you want to blog for a living, use as many free tools as possible initially. 👩🏻💻
2. Exploring ‘People Also Ask’ Section
Don’t overlook the ‘People Also Ask’ box in Google Search.
The questions listed here can inspire keywords your audience is inquiring about, offering you more precise targeting options.
3. Forum Keywords
What do I mean by “forum keywords?”
Forum keywords are keywords where a forum or forums are ranking in the top of SERPs, like Reddit and Quora.
Forums related to your niche may be goldmines for discovering keywords.
Monitoring discussions can reveal terms and questions not often captured by conventional keyword tools, leading to highly specific, less competitive keywords.
Caveat: Since September 2023 Helpful Content Update, forum keywords have become harder to outrank, but it’s still possible to outrank forums.
Many people, myself included, do not find answers on Reddit or Quora to be helpful content.
I skip past this content when it’s the first on Google to come up, so it’s a safe bet others do as well.
You can still get clicks if you’re ranking right after a forum.
4. Golden Ratio Keywords
This method works by searching for “allintitle:[keyword goes here]” and noting the total search results.
Next, divide this number by the monthly search volume obtained from a keyword research tool—target keywords where the result of this equation is less than 0.25.
5. Google Search Console Keywords
Your own Google Search Console’s query data can be a goldmine.
Reviewing the queries for which your site shows up in the SERPs can identify keywords you already rank for and those you may want to target more aggressively.
We often rank for keywords that aren’t directly relevant to our posts.
If Google is considering your content for these keywords, especially near the first page, it indicates a lack of better options for their audience.
Writing a strong post on such a keyword can lead to an easy win.
This method provides more accurate data since Google Search Console offers a clearer picture of impressions than a keyword research tool.
6. Unanswered Keywords
Seek out queries that need more answers online.
Unserved or underserved queries can represent a clear pathway to traffic if you provide the needed quality content.
This serves as a catch-all for various zero volume keywords for which the top 10 search results fail to adequately address the question.
We can address this by writing better, more informative posts.
These keywords still exist, not every question has been asked. Which is hard to believe, but according to Google:
Discovering these keywords is an empowering process, often unfolding while you’re navigating the online world for your own needs, like in Facebook groups and on Twitter.
In several Facebook groups I’m a part of people are always asking questions.
Social media trends can uncover niche topics that are not yet saturated.
Make sure you do your own research on these keywords using a tool like Keysearch.
I keep a running list of questions/keywords from groups and forums in my niche to answer more fully and methodically.
This also comes in handy for ideation for blogging, especially if you run several blogs.
Is There a Downside to Using Zero Volume Keywords?
No, I don’t see any downside to using a low-competition keyword strategy.
This strategy is necessary to rank and get traffic as a new blogger.
A brand new blog won’t be able to rank for broader terms like “best things to do in Paris,” which has a 50 word difficulty in Keysearch.
If you’re starting a blog about Paris with zero domain authority and rating, you can’t target keywords like “best things to do in Paris” and expect to rank.
More upsides to using zero volume keywords
Let’s say there is no traffic from zero-volume keywords (there is). We still end up with positives when using this strategy.
- Helps your audience. By targeting these terms, you’re catering to a niche audience that is likely seeking very specific information which might not be heavily covered by other websites.
- Google cares about what sites are ranking #1. When you rank highly with this strategy, you’ll look good in Google’s eyes.
- Adds more content to your site and helps with ideation. When you use these keywords, they need to reflect your audiences’ needs and your niche. Don’t write on a zero volume keyword just cuz. It has to be relevant to your content.
Adjusting strategies based on performance
Finally, let your findings inform your strategies.
If certain zero-volume keywords show promise, consider allocating more resources to them.
If some do not perform as expected, adjust your focus accordingly.
Continuous optimization ensures that your SEO strategy stays effective and adaptive.
Wrap Up: Zero Volume or Low Competition Keywords
Zero volume keywords are not to be overlooked in your SEO strategy.
Despite their seemingly low search volume data, these keywords can potentially connect you with your target audience in a unique and direct way.
While bring your lots of traffic.
By focusing on these niche terms, you may experience less competition when attempting to rank and more qualified potential traffic, which could lead to higher conversion rates
Read More of my Tips on SEO:
- 57+ Blogging FAQs
- How Do Bloggers Actually Make Money
- 7+ Ways to Monetize a Blog Without Ads
- 31 Exciting Reasons to Start a Blog
- The Ideal Blog Post Title Length for SEO
- Blogging Essentials to Steamline the Process
The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Blogging
Lyrical Host — The fastest hosting platform with the best customer service. I use Lyrical for all three of my blogs. The customer service is amazing and responds within the hour. They never leave me hanging.
Keysearch — This is the best and cheapest Keyword Research Tool. I use it every single day. I would be lost without it. Keysearch may be the number one essential blogging tool.
Link Whisper — interlinking is an essential part of blogging. Link Whisper streamlines this very important but time-consuming practice.
Interact Quiz — the money is in the list. Creating quizzes for your blog is one of the fastest way to grow your email list.
Active Campaign — this is one of the best email marketing platform. I’ve also used Convertkit, but I find Active Campaign more intuitive when creating and sending email campaigns.
Short Pixel — This is a plugin that compresses your images at increasing site speed and load times, essential for ranking.
RankIQ — RankIQ helps bloggers and content creators optimize their posts for search engines by providing AI-driven keyword research and content analysis tools.
Jasper.ai — Increase your content output with AI. I use it every day. It streamlines my blogging process and allows me to create content for three sites.
WP Rocket — Use this caching plugin to speed up your site. If you have Lyrical, you don’t need it. Lyrical provides a free caching plugin with one of their three plans.
